Author
Topic: The Catalyst (Read 50692 times)

Tinnius's body convulsed, startling him awake. Despite the mugginess of the room, he felt a chill. His tunic was damp with perspiration.

He started to stand, but found he could not. A closer look showed he was bound to a table by the inky black tendrils.

Lifting his head, he surveyed his surroundings. The room was vast and cavernous. Having no corners, the round room was ornately decorated with carvings and statues. The top of the walls were separated from the golden domed roof by exquisite, intricately detailed, ivory crown molding.

From the crown molding to the floor were seams, of like design, which separated the wall into large panels. The panels depicted various scenes in gold and silver.

The floor was covered in thick carpets that matched the ivory. Water trickled from a magnificent fountain directly in the center of it all.

Oddly, there was no visible door.

From his limited vantage, Tinnius surmised he was atop some sort of stone altar, but couldn’t see enough to be sure.

Thoroughly confused, Tinnius had no idea what had transpired. No one around to ask, he laid his head back onto the stone, alone with his thoughts, contemplating his predicament.

Logged

"To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women!" -Conan

"Listen Justice, I'm not afraid of a little blood. But I'm no bloodthirsty old cur either. And besides that you still haven't answered my question, are we walking in the front door or trying to trap the hunter?" Pausing for a second then looking closer at Justice, "You live to serve Her? And only that? Are you now a slave with no will of its own?"

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For the love of meat, shut up! No one wants to hear your emo character background! My hands are literally melting away, and I'm complaining less than you!—K'seliss, Goblins

IC: Destiny looked at Justice and much passed between them without words. Justice stepped back into the shadows and crossed his legs, sitting in a fluid motion. "We rest here" He whispered, "until dawn."

OOC: Not for nothing guys but by my reckoning it's daytime not night, in fact it should be midmorning since the group left the bazzar at dawn and got into the fight with the guild about an hour later. For the sake of Pariah I'll admin a time change. It is now four in the morning.

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"Pain can be your greatest ally, from pain you can learn to apply it, endure it and avoid it. Without pain there is no understanding of reality. If you never get hit with the things you strike out with every thing you know is pure fiction."

On me going out:In the hopes that I might be able to catch up with you guys eventually I've figured out a way for poor, poor Haya to dissappear for a time and possibly come back. It won't happen until you finally manage to get some rest. I'd try to write it out for you guys but I can't write right now and I know I'm going to be gone for another week before I can, write I mean, so I'll just try to explain it.

Haya excuses himself from the group to go pray/get some alone time. He gets somewhere secluded and pulls out some vellum with religious writing on them, and reads/prays. While he's doing this a small group, 3 or 4, meets outside his door and talks about how this is the room with the traitor in it.

They bust into the room and Haya is quickly incapacitated. He's bound up and one of them carries him out of the room, then the others go about and plant stuff to make it look like the grey cloaks did this, including a piece of grey cloth that got torn in the door, and they leave his religious stuff on the floor, saying that Cobb would know that Haya wouldn't ever leave that behind.

This group is from Haya's past, where I guess he was getting trained by some SuperEvil (TM) group of assassins or something. Well, either Haya didn't like it and left, or he accidentally killed one of the members of the group and fled. He came to this city and was working as a bouncer in an outta the way bar. Well, sorry I can't do more with you guys, but you've helped me with my writing some so thanks. Might join up with you again later.

Logged

For the love of meat, shut up! No one wants to hear your emo character background! My hands are literally melting away, and I'm complaining less than you!—K'seliss, Goblins

Vantini's impatience got the best of him. He rose to his feet. Time to make this a little more interesting, he thought.

Bending at the knees, he placed his right index finger on the ground. No visible incantation necessary, he, silently, went through a series of complicated intonments. His eyes were still rolled back when a tiny break in the surface appeared.

Several seconds later, he sat back down and waited, exhausted.

Under the surface, an inky black tendril made it's way towards the companions. Breaking a path in the earth as it traveled underground to the place selected by Vantini. A small hole appeared in the ground in an alley. Ebony blackness escaped from the hole, pooling on the ground like liquid.

The pool was still for a moment, but then subtle movement could be seen in the form of a ripple. The ripple increased to a boil.

Soon, a form began to rise, only falling back again into boiling black liquid. Fighting to escape, the humanoid form finally broke free, rising to a standing position. Leaving none of the pool behind, using it all to build itself.

Hands and fingers unnecassary for it's destructive function, the bleckteth's four, arm-like, appendages formed into pointed, razor sided blades made of itself.

Death appeared in the hole that was the deep blackness of it's visage. Capable of free thought, the bleckteth moved to stalk Justice and company, wearing silence like a birthright.

Logged

"To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women!" -Conan

Like Destiny he dealt with what would or could be but his realm was that of those beyond redemption. Destiny was unsullied and pure she only showed what was or what would be. Consequence strove to strike balance with the ruthlessness of nature, the inevitability of karmic debt. Balance often required destruction of that which was was aberrant.

Nostrils flared taking in air soiled by corruption. Consequence flowed down from the roof the structure of the building visible as light passed through a body that varied between solid and mist, substantial and instubstatial.

Consequence dwelled in the black. The Bleckteth was like a beacon, beckoning. Consequence launched itself at the creature weilding four blades of liquid night. The creature was fast and leapt forward slicing with ebon blades to meet Consequence's attack. Shadow battled shadow, the Blecteth's blades caught tendrils of nothingness. Consequence changed its form becoming more solid than mist driving forward into the Blecteth's chest.

Does the shadow feel pain?

Does darkness know fear?

Consequence was the darker aspect of the Goddess. A force of nature before which the Bleckteth could notstand before. It must flee or be undone.

**************************************************

The window was large enough to admit a small child. Cobb had to dislocate his shoulder to get through. "Bloggin eh!" It was a thought though, he dared not speak. His heart was in his throat as he crept into the room. Below him Tinnius was swathed in black strands that seemed to suck the light out of the room. The smouldering torches threw enough light in the room to keep him in shadow. The tingle in his stomach was fading which meant the protection Dalia provided was fading and he would be visible to normal vision soon. He must move quickly...

Logged

"Pain can be your greatest ally, from pain you can learn to apply it, endure it and avoid it. Without pain there is no understanding of reality. If you never get hit with the things you strike out with every thing you know is pure fiction."

The deadly razors sliced, striving to send Consequence to the black completely. They were more than mere annoyances. The danger was real but Consequence feared not. Four arms heavy with steel like sinew formed with solidity as the cloak of darkness rolled back like morning mist pierced by the rising sun. The swords were straight and forged by Lea herself.

As one they entered the Bleckteth.

It screamed as it went back to the abyss from whence it came. In Radd infants cried inexplicably. Dogs howled and cocks crowed.

*******************************************

Cobb wondered how he got into these situations. He looked at Tinnius as he lay unconscious. He had already done what Justice had bade. Now he had but to wait. As always this was the hard part. He had done everything the old man had asked and nothing had happened. Bloke looked worse off to tell the truth, face looked like yesterday's catch. Some Black or Dwarven spirits would hit the spot about now. Those were his thoughts as Vantini appeared. Cobb's heart nearly stopped...

Logged

"Pain can be your greatest ally, from pain you can learn to apply it, endure it and avoid it. Without pain there is no understanding of reality. If you never get hit with the things you strike out with every thing you know is pure fiction."

The gem Cobb had placed on Tinnius' chest flared to life as Vantini swung at Cobb. The black bonds holding Tinnius ripped assunder, flowed towards Vantini with serpentlike speed wrapping his arms and legs with the strength of a titan. Vantini fell heavily at Cobb's feet. Malice screamed at Cobb to slay this being before him. He almost gave in. It would have been his undoing. Vantini could not be slain by such means. He would have been slain by Vantini if he had tried. Unknown to Cobb it was how the cursed blade choose more powerful wielders. Justice's voice brought him back to his senses.

"COBB!!"

The plan remembered he scooped up Tinnius and tossed him over his shoulder with a grunt. Gates! He was heavier than he looked. He scampered from the room, nearly forgetting to grab the gem.

The bonds would not hold Vantini long. In fact...

Logged

"Pain can be your greatest ally, from pain you can learn to apply it, endure it and avoid it. Without pain there is no understanding of reality. If you never get hit with the things you strike out with every thing you know is pure fiction."

Dissipating the commandeering tendrils, he shadow walked to intercept Cobb.

Re-taking his solidarity directly in front of the man, Vantini took a broad step with his left foot. Sweeping his right arm, from over his head, in a complete circle, left his fist inside a menacing black cloud.

Holding the black fist out defiantly, he took another step towards Cobb, using his hips to drive a punch into the man. Without magic, the blow would have been formidable. With magic, it was almost certainly lethal.

Vantini smiled when he heard Cobb's breath rush out.

Logged

"To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women!" -Conan

"Bloggen...AHRGH!!" Cobb tumbled backwards spilling his burden. Tinnius awoke to see the inky blackness of the temple interior, the shadowy form of Vantini and the ceiling and floor changing places in swirling motion. He skipped across the floor and saw Cobb tumble into a ball, holding his ribs.

Blow tiles worn smooth by the feet of countless worshippers, the guardians of the temple stirred.

Vantini took a step forward then was dropped to the ground by an unseen force. He rose to see Destiny standing between him and the two men. He averted his gaze. He knew her nature and would not fall prey to her tactics. Thus he did not see Justice as the elder monk flew towards him with flying feet. Vantini was solid and felt every bit of the blow against his chest. No novice to battle his feet were moving and he was twisting even as the blow hit. He rolled smoothly to his feet as Justice launched a blow at him with the ridge of his hand. Vantini dodged with superhuman speed. This Justice was old. He sneered as he flipped forward, heels whistling toward the old man's head. Justice jumped backwards with the agility of a rabbit and Vantini's heels cracked the smooth rock. Double palms shot out striking Vantini in the chest he hit the wall thirty feet away. Perhaps I've underestimated him. He entered Shadow and was immediately set upon by Consequence.

All Vantini could do was dodge the four swords as Consequence all four arms in motion, launched a frenzied attack. He shifted back just as arms clad with gauntlets made of golden plate expoded through the floor about his legs. The temple guardian pulled itself upward covered with the stench of death and decay. Its breath was plague and its eyes red death. The once handsome features of its face had long rotted away leaving bone and leathery tendon. Its jaws opened and closed grotesquely in a morbid attempt at speech. The guardian was the size of a large man and its golden mail gleamed. As Vantini quickly learned it was strong, and able to affect those in the shadow and the prime.

The guardian was joined by ten of its fellows. They ripped their way upward in an attempt to fulfill their purpose. To slay those who dared defile the temple. Clods of moist earth fell from them as they moved towards Vantini, Destiny and Justice.

"Bloggen eh!" Cobb backed up to the wall pulling Tinnius with him. He supposed the guardians couldn't be concerned with small fry the likes of them. He gazed up to the small opening he had squeezed though. He looked at Tinnius, who was still groggy, "Can ya climb?"...

Logged

"Pain can be your greatest ally, from pain you can learn to apply it, endure it and avoid it. Without pain there is no understanding of reality. If you never get hit with the things you strike out with every thing you know is pure fiction."

Vantini wasn't surprised to see the guardians. Under handing black clouds at the things, he back pedaled to safety, to the place he had created.

Baiting the guardians, he slowed to a stop, allowing the first one to step onto the rune illustration he had drawn onto the carpet many moons ago. Having used nothing but his finger to draw it, the rune was not visible, but the arcane magic was strong.

Angry confidence on his face, Vantini gritted his teeth and uttered a word. The word started low and guttural, but soon became a blood curdling shout. His newly undone hair fell across his face.

The guardian looked to it's feet. Inky black smoke raced through the pattern of the rune like a fuse, making the rune visible.

The guardian looked back up at the instant the rune completed itself, closing onto it's starting point.

A silent black beam erupted like a flash from the circular rune, floor to ceiling. Two giant arms fell to the floor.

Had Tinnius not seen the display, he wouldn't have believed it. A black column had erupted and was gone. Had he blinked he would have missed it. Everything within the columns circumference had vanished. Everything without had fallen dismembered.

Tinnius renewed his escape attempt with earnest, unwilling to invest the time to see what became of the other guardians.

Not answering Cobb, he began to climb.

Logged

"To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women!" -Conan

Cobb saw clearly what had happened to the guardian. He didn't understand it but knew he wanted no part of it. He heard Tinnius clumsily making his way upward towards the opening. Justice and Destiny were moving thru the guardians in a blur, sure and quick footwork serving to confuse the undead guardians.

With the guardians' appearance the battle between Vantini and the group had to wait. Tinnius tumbled thru the opening into Dalia's waiting arms. Cobb followed. He hoped Destiny and Justice would be allright...

Logged

"Pain can be your greatest ally, from pain you can learn to apply it, endure it and avoid it. Without pain there is no understanding of reality. If you never get hit with the things you strike out with every thing you know is pure fiction."

To further his amusement, Vantini called forth the tendrils, beckoning them to entangle Justice and Consequence. Not enough to disuade them from the battle, but just enough to slow them, to make it a little more interesting to watch and to even the odds.

Logged

"To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women!" -Conan

Justice threw his cloak about Destiny and himself dropping to the ground in a ball. The tendrils and Temple guardians swiftly rushed towards them. The two forces crashed into each other. The tendrils being rent by the guardians, tendrils crushing others within their golden armor. The battle was fierce with supernatural entities not knowing the meaning of quarter and the tendrils being insensenate to pain or destruction. It was over quickly. The tendrils had been destroyed and the remaining guardian pulled his body forward on bony clawed hands while it's legs and lower torso stumbled about in a far corner of the room.

Justice threw back his cloak and brushed off his hands. He looked up to the shadows above with a look that told Vantini, I see you.

"Until next time." He then followed Destiny out the window...

Logged

"Pain can be your greatest ally, from pain you can learn to apply it, endure it and avoid it. Without pain there is no understanding of reality. If you never get hit with the things you strike out with every thing you know is pure fiction."

The port side tavern they currently resided was only for the night, while they awaited departure. It was not lavish, but it was more comfortable than the road.

Ever since they had made their hasty exit from Curtains, Tinnius had felt something different inside. A certain uneasiness that bordered on nausea.

Tinnius lay back in his bed and tried to rest and enjoy the comfort. The boat they had procured, the Anemone, was know for it's swiftness, not it's accommodations and the details of their destination had yet to be revealed, so it could be a long trip.

He, suddenly, sat half way up in bed, grabbing his midsection, his stomach racked with sudden pain. A moment, then it subsided.

Tinnius took a deep breath and lay back onto his pillow, only to have the process repeated. A third time introduced cold perspiration to his face and filled his mouth with blood.

Spitting into a bucket, Tinnius tried to get comfortable and let exhaustion consume him. In passing, he wondered how the others fared.

« Last Edit: July 02, 2006, 05:09:01 PM by Catalyst »

Logged

"To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women!" -Conan

Cobb pushed the door open without preamble. He looked as green about the gills as Tinnius. "You castin?" He was holding his stomach as well. Dalia's casting had always affected his stomach but this was much worse. He didn't know how but he knew the Tinnius was the source of the disturbance...

Logged

"Pain can be your greatest ally, from pain you can learn to apply it, endure it and avoid it. Without pain there is no understanding of reality. If you never get hit with the things you strike out with every thing you know is pure fiction."

Justice sat in the corner on a rough wooden stool, a mug of dwarven spirits in front of him. He looked at Tinnius' shivering form in front of him. The lad was obviously sick. The old man briefly wondered how much he should tell him. He looked at Cobb and Dalia as well. They were all here. He glanced at Destiny who gave him a return glance filled with compassion. Time was growing short. His old bones felt every battle. The truth would have to do. His handlers would have had nothing to do with it. Discretion was never one of his strengths and the way things looked the new Justice would have similar...weaknesses.

Justice took a swallow of the potent liquor and closed his eyes as it burned its way down into his stomach. He opened his eyes and looked at Tinnius, they were nearly filmed over with age but were bright and alert, reflecting the light of the candles and the large fire. "You are catalyst."

"What does that mean." Tinnius' question was plain. It was a good one.

Justice paused, "It means that you are...things happen around you. Like the space in the center of a wheel things happen around you. The Goddess has many aspects but the most powerful are consequence, justice and destiny. These aspects are manifested in the form of Avatars or Catalysts. They come into the world as normal folks. Well almost normal," This was said with a glance at Cobb, who to be frank, didn't like the turn the conversation was taking.

"Avatars and Catalyst same thing. Consequence is thought of as an Avatar because it is not of this world but is. I know that doesn't make much sense but take my word for it. You haven't been able to sense Consequence yet but it is close watching over us. Once an age the mantle gets passed on from the old catalysts to the new. This time is nearly upon us.

"That's why we have sought you out." Justice paused dramatically, "You are to be the new Consequence." Tinnius didn't believe what he was hearing. Perhaps he was feverish. Justice pinned Cobb with a gimlet stare, "And you Cobb, are to be the new Justice."

"Bloggen eh! Sun and Rain! I'm the opposite, wot? That's strong brew you're quaffin' mayhap you banged your noggin in the figh' with the temple guardians if you think I'm Justice. I've not the qualifications. Besides the fact I'll pinch anythin's not nailed down I nae have the ability to shoot bolts out my arse at people like you do."

"I'm the new Destiny." This came from Dalia, who was listening intently.

"Yes my child."

"But maybe you two don't hear that I'm talkin I've got some other job offers that just, to be honest with you, an no offense Justice, seem a bit more lucrative, I mean you're nae the most fancy dresser I've seen an if you've been Justice for so long I mean is there a retirement..."

"Pain can be your greatest ally, from pain you can learn to apply it, endure it and avoid it. Without pain there is no understanding of reality. If you never get hit with the things you strike out with every thing you know is pure fiction."